Hong Kong Airlines Announces Launch of Cadet Pilot Program

Date: 9 June 2017

[Hong Kong, 9 June 2017] Hong Kong Airlines ("The Company") announced today the launch of its first Cadet Pilot Program. Fully funded by the Company, the cadet pilot program is delivered in partnership with L3 Commercial Training Solutions through its Airline Academy (L3 CTS), aiming to develop high caliber students into future professional airline pilots who will play an important role in the growth of the Company's fleet.

This initiative by Hong Kong Airlines, which has been based in Hong Kong for a decade, is set to support the resourcing demands as the Company continues to expand from a regional airline to an international carrier. The program also demonstrates the Company's commitment to nurture a new generation of aviation elite for the local industry growth.

The cadet pilot program is now open for application, with a target of providing 8 to 15 candidates this year with no flying experience an opportunity to embark upon an18-month training journey at L3 Airline Academy Training Center in New Zealand.

Mr Tang King Shing, Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Airlines, said: "The launch of the cadet program forms a remarkable milestone for Hong Kong Airlines in nurturing and grooming our own talent asset and to tie in with the Company's commitment to the local aviation industry development. It is going to support career establishment of new generation in Hong Kong, adding on to the 1,100 diverse job opportunities we are offering this year."

Hong Kong Airlines has achieved outstanding performance over the past decade. The Company has achieved a record-breaking launch of 11 new destinations last year since its establishment, operating a vast destination network covering over 30 major cities in Asia Pacific. It will step up its global market expansion by connecting Hong Kong with aviation hubs in the Asia Pacific, North America and Europe. The launch of the Vancouver route by the end of June in North America is one of the initiatives signifying the network growth.

In addition, the Company's fleet will further be strengthened with the delivery of Airbus A350 aircraft in Q3 this year and by the end of 2019, the fleet size will exceed 50 aircraft. Another vast investment project, the Hong Kong Airlines Aviation Training Center, is set to be completed in the end of 2018, housing 12 full flight simulators with complete training facilities to nurture a new generation of aviation elites to spur the industry growth and consolidate Hong Kong's position as an international aviation hub.

Hong Kong Airlines provides ample promotion opportunities for the flying crew thanks to the rapid, yet substantial company development. Graduates of this exceptional cadet program will become fully employed Second Officers flying across the airlines' route network of iconic destinations.

L3 Commercial Training Solutions is a global airline pilot training, resourcing and simulation organization approved by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, providing innovation solutions to international carriers. Mr Alan Crawford, President of L3 CTS, remarked: "We are honored to have been selected to deliver Hong Kong Airlines' very first Cadet Pilot program through our Airline Academy. This program will support Hong Kong Airlines' resourcing demands as it continues to experience rapid expansion. This award demonstrates recognition of our status as a trusted provider of high-caliber aircrew and our ongoing commitment to supporting the global demand for highly-skilled, qualified commercial pilots. We take enormous pride in being able to launch dream careers for aspiring pilots."

As one of the key members of the local aviation industry, Hong Kong Airlines also participated in the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2017 jointly organized by the Airport Authority and the Labor Department. The Company provided about 230 job vacancies at the Expo, attracting overwhelming response from job seekers on the first day who are looking for frontline positions of cabin service, engineering maintenance and various general office job opportunities.

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About Hong Kong Airlines

Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline firmly rooted in Hong Kong. It has grown remarkably in just ten years with a wide destination network covering over 30 major cities across the Asia Pacific region, including Gold Coast, Auckland, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, Sapporo, Seoul, Bangkok, Bali and Okinawa. The Company has also signed agreements with 16 codeshare and 75 interline partners respectively.

The current operating fleet is made up of 33 Airbus aircraft, consisting of 29 passenger aircraft and 4 freighters. With an average age of around 4.9 years, Hong Kong Airlines operates one of the youngest fleets in the world. Hong Kong Airlines has been awarded the internationally acclaimed four-star rating from Skytrax since 2011. It was also the winner for Asia's Leading Inflight Service in World Travel Awards 2015.

About L3 Commercial Training SolutionsL3 Commercial Training Solutions (L3 CTS) is a world leader in providing intelligent total training solutions for pilots and maintainers across a wide range of commercial platforms. The company is headquartered in Crawley, U.K., and delivers training, resourcing and systems production from global centers in Southampton, Bournemouth and Coventry in the U.K.; Minnesota, Orlando and Phoenix in the U.S.; Hamilton in New Zealand; and Bangkok in Thailand. L3 CTS is part of the Electronic Systems business segment.

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